This Week at Phipps: March 16 – 22

By Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

There's always something new to see and do at Phipps! This weekly blog post provides a run-down of the latest happenings so you can plan your visit. Events listed below require no advance registration unless noted otherwise. 

Open Daily: 

• COMING SOON: Spring Flower Show: True Colors
  Opening Sat., March 28 and only lasting four weeks, this year's eye-catching displays will highlight all the quintessential vibrant spring flora that you love to see during this time of year. In a unique twist, each room will also feature photography and information about a display in the very same room from our historic archives, allowing you to appreciate the “true colors” we share with one another – the unforgettable times we’ve spent and how we and our region have grown side by side. Your senses will be delighted as your sweet spring memories come to life!
• Garden Railroad: The Age of Dinosaurs
  Garden Railroad: The Age of Dinosaurs will highlight each distinct period of the Mesozoic Era. Guests can watch a group of dinosaurs moving through greenery while listening to the powerful sound of a dinosaur roar! In addition to these features, the plant evolution through the different time periods will be on display, from ferns, cycads and conifers to the first flowering plants. Each prehistoric period will have its own train to follow along so you can learn about their unique characteristics. 
• Tropical Forest Panama: Bridge to Biodiversity
  Embark on a spectacular journey through the lush vegetation and vibrant culture of Panama, the incredibly biodiverse land bridge connecting North and South America, in our immersive new Tropical Forest Conservatory exhibit
• Ikebana International Exhibit
  ​In this recurring exhibit in our Welcome Center Gallery, view gorgeous floral displays courtesy of the Ikebana International Pittsburgh Chapter.
• Planets Earth Virtual Exhibit
  A dynamic exhibit at the Center for Sustainable Landscapes (and now online) addresses the pressing environmental issues of our time and proposes a new way of thinking about how to solve them.

Mon., March 16:

• History of Chinese and Japanese Garden Design | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
  Asian inspired gardens provide serenity, relaxation and subtle beauty. Learn the aesthetic and spiritual principles employed in the creation of a garden influenced by Eastern cultures. Students will be introduced to design concepts used in the placement of stone, water and plants, which are the essence of the garden.

Wed., March 18: 

• In-Person Story Time | 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
  Kids will love visiting Phipps to listen to our storyteller weave tales about gardens, fruits, vegetables, animals and other fun topics. Attend weekly sessions with a special child in your life.
• Soup for the Soul: Tomato and White Bean Soup with Cheddar Gougeres | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
  Warm up this winter with our comforting and nourishing Soup for the Soul virtual cook-along series designed to feed both body and mind! Each session highlights a seasonal, wellness-inspired soup and accompanying side. You’ll discover how a simple, wholesome recipe can support your overall well-being. On the menu this session, we have Tomato and White Bean Soup with Cheddar Gougeres, with brain boosting ingredients.
• How to Make Paints from Raw Pigment | 6 – 8 p.m.
  In this presentation, instructor Christine Hutson will demonstrate how to make your own watercolor paint from dry pigment and a binder. Safety precautions when handling dry pigments are very important, so this will be covered in detail too. This will be a lecture and demo, with a detailed handout featuring instructions and references. 

Sat., March 21:

• Shinrin-yoku Walk | 1 – 3 p.m.
  Come join Forest Awakenings for a relaxing nature retreat shaped by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Join this shortened version of our popular forest therapy walk, where we’ll slow down and connect with the More Than Human World in a deeper, more intimate way. Following a research-based process, we’ll get in touch with our bodies and our place in the living fabric of life.

Sun., March 22:

• Rooted in Presence: A Mindfulness Meditation Series | Guided Meditation 10 – 11 a.m.; Self-Guided 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
  Start your Sunday with intention and peace at Phipps' Rooted in Presence: A Mindfulness Meditation Series! Guests of all skill levels are invited to reconnect with breath, body and the living beauty around them. Whether you’re looking to deepen your meditation practice through a guided session or simply find a quiet moment to yourself, this series blends mindful practice with the restorative power of nature.

 

Photos  © Paul g. Wiegman